Stage AVL audio-visual technician Jeremy Edwards, left, and Cody Cash, chief audio-visual technician, test lighting equipment as part of renovation work to transform the old theater in The Village Green in Cleveland, Tenn., into The Venue Creekside, a state-of-the art event facility.CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Work is under way to transform the old theater at the Village Green Town Center into a state-of-the-art space for public and private events.
The facility, now known as The Venue Creekside, will open in October, said J. Adam Lowe, the owner of GravelRoad Entertainment LLC and its audiovisual arm, Stage AVL, who is undertaking the project. Between remodeling and the installation of audiovisual equipment, the transformation of the Cleveland landmark will cost between $60,000 and $100,000.
"Cleveland has needed a venue like this for some time," said Lowe, who also is a Bradley County commissioner. "Until now, if you wanted to hold an event for 250 people, you needed to go through the Museum Center at Five Points or a church gym."
The site will hold up to 295 people for a single private event, he said.
Businessman Allan Jones owns the property.
"The new facility will be a great benefit to the local community, and we were able to participate by reducing the rent for a good cause," Jones said.
Lowe said local contractor 3D Construction is assisting with the renovations.
"We are excited about restoring such an exciting piece of Cleveland's history," David May III of 3D said in a news release.
Plans call for giving the facility a "classic ballroom feel," part of which will be synthetic oak panels for the floor, May said.
The venture is technology-driven, Lowe said. Multimedia sound and lighting effects can be managed remotely through a smartphone app.
"We wanted to be able to instantly transform the space for almost any use," he said. "It will be state-of-the-art for conferences, meetings, wedding receptions, trade shows, banquets, and private parties."
It would be a great place to host a film festival, said Cody Cash, chief audiovisual technician for Stage AVL, who recalled watching movies in the old theater.
Lowe said the announcement of a grand opening for The Venue Creekside will happen soon. A winter schedule of public events will be unveiled in October.
For more information, contact The Venue Creekside at 527 W. Inman St., Cleveland, TN 37311; call 423-473-9668, or visit www.TheVenueCreekside.com.
Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.